Dawn was barely breaking, filtering through the thick branches like a hesitant promise. I'd hardly slept, my body aching, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The reality of my act – killing Ser Klemens – and the discovery of this "System of Avarice" were vying for first place in my agitated mind. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig made me jump, expecting the menacing silhouettes of the Saintly Knights to appear.
The morning chill seeped into my bones. My throat was dry, my stomach growling with hunger. The escape had exhausted me, and the small boost to my "Vitality" wasn't enough to fill the emptiness in my belly. I needed to find something to eat, and fast.
I rose stiffly, Ser Klemens's sword still within reach. It was heavy, poorly balanced for my inexperienced grip, but it was the only defense I had. Cautiously, I began to explore the immediate surroundings of my makeshift hiding spot. The forest was dense, a tangle of ancient trees and thick undergrowth. I had no idea where I was, or which direction to go.
My eyes scanned the ground, searching for berries, edible roots, anything that might appease my hunger. That's when I saw a small bush, laden with dark red berries that looked vaguely familiar. I'd seen similar ones in the manor gardens but had never dared to touch them.
With a mixture of hope and hesitation, I approached. My gaze fell on the berries, and a new, almost imperceptible notification appeared in my vision:
[Target: Wild Berries (Quality: Common). Contains a minute Nutritive Essence.]
My heart leaped. So the System could identify things? "Nutritive Essence"... did that mean I could absorb it, like I'd absorbed something from Ser Klemens?
Carefully, I reached for a berry. The moment my fingers brushed against it, a slight tingling sensation ran up my hand, and another message appeared:
[Avarice exercised! You have absorbed the Nutritive Essence of the wild berries.]
[Avarice Points gained: 0 (Target too weak to generate significant AP).]
[Satiation slightly increased.]
I stood there for a moment, stunned, the berry still between my fingers. It looked a little duller, less vibrant than before. And I felt… a tiny bit less hungry. It wasn't much, but it was real. The System worked, even on something as simple as berries.
Encouraged, I continued my gathering, touching each berry before popping it into my mouth. The absorption process was quick, almost instantaneous. I didn't need to eat them to draw some of their substance, though I did anyway, for the more concrete sensation of food in my stomach.
As I ate, a new idea struck me. If I could absorb the essence of plants, what about animals? A little further on, I saw a rabbit dart away as I approached. Without thinking, I lunged after it, awkwardly brandishing the sword.
The chase was short and pathetic. I was slow, clumsy, and the rabbit quickly disappeared into the thicket. Panting, I stopped, frustrated. But as I caught my breath, a notification appeared, almost mockingly:
[Avarice Quest available: "Opportunistic Feast"]
[Objective: Appropriate the food of a predator (Example: find a freshly abandoned carcass).]
[Reward: 2 AP, Satiation moderately increased.]
An "Avarice Quest"? So the System gave me objectives? The idea of stealing food from another predator made me uneasy, but the reward in Avarice Points was tempting. These points seemed to be the key to becoming stronger.
I decided to try my luck. I started looking for signs of predation: tracks, scattered feathers, the scent of blood. After an hour of fruitless searching, just as discouragement began to set in, I stumbled upon a grim scene: the remains of a bird, likely the prey of a fox or a weasel. There wasn't much left, but it was enough.
With some reluctance, I touched the carcass.
[Avarice exercised! You have absorbed a minute Animal Essence and the remnants of Nutritive Essence.]
[Quest "Opportunistic Feast" completed!]
[Avarice Points gained: +2.]
[Satiation moderately increased.]
My Avarice Points were now at 4. And I felt a bit more satisfied. Despite the initial disgust, a strange sense of accomplishment washed over me. I had succeeded. I had used the System to survive.
I spent the rest of the morning exploring cautiously, testing my new power on various plants and insects. Each absorption, however small, gave me a little more insight into how the System worked. I was learning that some things yielded more essence than others, and that "Assimilation Voracity," though still at 1, seemed to determine the speed and efficiency of the absorption.
I was beginning to understand that this "avarice" wasn't just a moral failing, but a mechanic, a way to interact with the world, to take what I needed to survive and grow stronger. It was a troubling thought, but also, in a way, liberating. In a world where everything had been taken from me, where I was considered less than nothing, I now had the power to take in turn.
With my hunger temporarily sated, another necessity arose: finding a safer shelter than a mere tree. I knew the Saintly Knights wouldn't take long to organize a search. I needed a place where I could hide, rest, and perhaps understand a little better this power that had erupted into my life.
My steps led me towards a small, rocky hill. At its base, concealed by thick bushes, I discovered the narrow entrance to a small cave. It wasn't large, just big enough for me to lie down in, but it offered protection from the elements and prying eyes. It was better than nothing.
As I settled into the cool gloom of the cave, a feeling of loneliness mixed with a strange excitement washed over me. I was alone, hunted, but I had a secret, a power that could change the game. The "Grand Grimoire of Avarice" was my silent companion, a promise of power and a source of countless questions. The path ahead was uncertain and perilous, but for the first time in a long while, a spark of determination flickered in the darkness of my future.
The cave's interior was cool, carrying the scent of damp earth. It offered a welcome break from the humid heat of the forest. I leaned against the rock wall, Ser Klemens's sword beside me, and finally allowed my body to unwind a bit. The constant tension of being on the run had left my muscles sore and my mind thoroughly drained.
Here, in the relative dimness, I felt a bit more secure. Not entirely, of course. The fear of the Saintly Knights was a persistent shadow, but at least I had a roof – or rather, a ceiling of rock – over my head.
I used this moment of respite to take a closer look at the "Grand Grimoire of Avarice" interface. I focused, and the luminous words reappeared in my vision. I now had 4 Avarice Points. Not enough for another Vitality upgrade, but perhaps for something else.
I mentally scanned the different sections: Name, Title, Level of Avarice, Stats, Skills. Under the "Name" section, it still read "Konrad (Undefined)." That intrigued me. Was it something I could change? Give myself a new name, to symbolize my new life, my break from the past?
I concentrated on that line, and an option appeared:
[Define Name? Cost: 1 AP.]
Just one Avarice Point. That wasn't much. The idea of leaving behind the name "Konrad," the name of the submissive, humiliated servant, appealed to me. I wanted to be someone else, someone new, someone who could survive this unforgiving world.
But what name to choose? I'd never really thought about it. Orphans like me often only had a first name, sometimes not even that. After a few moments of reflection, a name came to mind, a simple name that sounded strong and independent: Falko. The falcon. A hunter, free and observant.
With newfound determination, I thought "YES" to the option and focused on the name "Falko."
[Name defined: Falko.]
[Avarice Points (AP): 3.]
A slight shiver ran through me. It was just a name change in a strange system, but it felt significant. I was Falko now. The fugitive, the hunter-in-training.
With my remaining 3 Avarice Points, I could still upgrade one of my stats. Vitality was tempting, but I also considered Mental Acuity. Being more alert, more perceptive, could be just as crucial for my survival as sheer physical endurance. After a brief hesitation, I decided to invest in my mind.
[Enhance Mental Acuity? Cost: 3 AP (Current Max: 1)]
I confirmed. A different sensation than before flowed through me, more subtle, as if a light veil had lifted from my thoughts. My senses seemed a little sharper, the sounds of the forest outside the cave more distinct.
[Mental Acuity (MEN): 9 (+1)]
[Avarice Points (AP): 0.]
I was out of points again, but I felt a bit more prepared. Falko, with slightly improved vitality and mental acuity. It wasn't much against the power of the Saintly Knights, but it was a start. It was my start.
The rest of the day passed in relative quiet. I briefly left the cave to find water in a small nearby stream and to "absorb" a few more plants, just so I wouldn't deplete my energy reserves too much. I was starting to develop a kind of sixth sense for spotting sources of essence, however faint.
As the sun began to set, a new concern pressed upon me: my appearance. Even though I'd changed my name, my face was still that of Konrad, the servant who had killed Ser Klemens. If a Saintly Knight happened to cross my path, even by chance, they might recognize me.
I remembered the System mentioning, when Ser Klemens died, that I had absorbed an essence of "Domination." Was that related to appearance, to how one presented oneself to the world? Or was there another hidden option in the "Grand Grimoire of Avarice"?
I focused on the interface again, searching for a section I might have missed. There was nothing obvious about changing my appearance. Perhaps it required more Avarice Points, or a specific condition I hadn't yet met.
This thought left me with a sense of urgency. I couldn't stay in this cave indefinitely. I needed to move, to get even further away. But before that, I had to find a way to stop looking like Konrad.
Night fell, and with it, a new wave of uncertainty. I was alone, with a power I was only beginning to understand, and formidable enemies on my trail. The path ahead was fraught with pitfalls, but the thought of giving in to despair didn't even cross my mind. Avarice, whatever its nature, had given me a tool, a chance.
And I was determined to use it. Tomorrow, I would have to find a way to change my face, to cover my tracks. Tomorrow, Falko would truly begin his new life. For now, sleep was a welcome truce, a brief oblivion before the challenges of the next day.